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The Works of Guy de Maupassant Novel Chapters
List of most recent chapters published for the The Works of Guy de Maupassant novel. A total of 348 chapters have been translated and the release date of the last chapter is Apr 02, 2024
Latest Release: Chapter 1 : The Works of Guy de Maupa.s.sant.Vol. 1.by Guy de Maupa.s.sant.INTRODUCTION BY ARTHUR SY
The Works of Guy de Maupa.s.sant.Vol. 1.by Guy de Maupa.s.sant.INTRODUCTION BY ARTHUR SYMONS The first aim of art, no doubt, is the representation of things as they are. But then things are as our eyes see them and as our minds make them; and it is thus o
- 1 The Works of Guy de Maupa.s.sant.Vol. 1.by Guy de Maupa.s.sant.INTRODUCTION BY ARTHUR SYMONS The first aim of art, no doubt, is the representation of things as they are. But then things are as our eyes see them and as our minds make them; and it is thus o
- 2 Cornudet, nothing daunted, preserved a disdainful and superior smile, but there was a feeling in the air that high words would soon follow, whereupon the Count interposed, and managed, not without difficulty, to quiet the infuriated young woman by a.s.ser
- 3 It had been decided that they should start at eight o'clock the next morning, so they were all a.s.sembled in the kitchen by that hour; but the diligence, roofed with snow, stood solitary in the middle of the courtyard without horses or driver. The l
- 4 and returned to his cards. When they were convinced that there was nothing to be got out of him, they declared that it was high time to go to bed, and left him.They were up again pretty early the next day, filled with an indefinite hope, a still keener de
- 5 When they returned, she went straight to her room and did not come down again. The anxiety was terrible. What was she going to do? How unspeakably mortifying if she still persisted in her refusal!The dinner-hour arrived, they waited for her in vain. Monsi
- 6 They drove at a much quicker pace to-day, the snow being harder; and all the way to Dieppe, during the long, dull hours of the journey, through all the jolting and rattling of the conveyance, in the falling shades of evening and later in the profound dark
- 7 "She is a heretic, but G.o.d does not wish the death of the sinner, and I believe her to be a person of pure morals."These words, "Atheist," "Heretic," words which no one can precisely define, threw doubts into some minds. It
- 8 "I would like to see how you paint pictures? Will you? I have been very curious."[3]And she colored up as though she had given utterance to words extremely audacious.I conducted her to the bottom of the Pet.i.t-Val, where I had commenced a large
- 9 No one had seen Miss Harriet. We waited for her at table, but she did not appear. At length Mother Lecacheur went to her room. The English woman had gone out. She must have set out at break of day, as she was wont to do, in order to see the sun rise.n.o.b
- 10 How well I know, and how I hate and almost fear those haphazard walks through unknown streets; and this was the reason why, as nothing would induce me to undertake a tour in Italy by myself, I made up my mind to accompany my friend Paul Pavilly.You know P
- 11 I promised Paul to do all I could to bring about a conversation, and when we had taken our places again, I politely asked our neighbor: "Have you any objection to the smell of tobacco, madam?"She merely replied, "_Non capisco_."[6]So s
- 12 The night came on, one of those hot summer nights which extend their warm shade over the burning and exhausted earth. Here and there, in the distance by the sea on capes and promontories, bright stars began to s.h.i.+ne on the dark horizon, which I was, a
- 13 There were two bedrooms separated by a small sitting-room. I ordered a cold supper, and then I turned to the Italian with a perplexed look."We have only been able to get two rooms, so you must choose which you like."She replied with her eternal
- 14 At that moment I first pretended to notice her, and said: "Good morning, Francesca."Without seeming in at all a better temper than the previous night, she murmured, "Good morning."When I asked her whether she slept well, she nodded _Ye
- 15 The next year, at just about the same period, I was seized, as one is with a periodical fever, with a new desire to go to Italy, and I immediately made up my mind to carry it into effect. There is no doubt that every well-educated man ought to see Florenc
- 16 CHaLI Admiral de la Vallee, who seemed to be half asleep in his armchair, said in a voice which sounded like an old woman's: "I had a very singular little love adventure once; would you like to hear it?"He spoke from the depths of his great
- 17 I put the same question to the youngest, who answered immediately in her shrill voice: "I am here to do whatever you ask me, my master."This one was like a little mouse, and was very taking, just as they all were, so I took her in my arms and ki
- 18 "The box covered with sh.e.l.ls.""But I gave it to her."The Indian looked at me with stupefaction, then replied: "Well, she declared with the most sacred oaths that you had given it to her, but n.o.body could believe that you coul
- 19 Oreille utterly rebelled at such an idea."All right," he said; "then I shall resign my post. I am not going to the office with the kitchen umbrella."The friend interposed: "Have this one re-covered; it will not cost much."But
- 20 "Yes, it was a capital article, and I wanted you to see the state it is in.""Very well, I see; very well. But I really do not understand what it can have to do with me."She began to feel uncomfortable; perhaps this Company did not pay
- 23 For a long time I wandered aimlessly up and down, and about midnight I started off for home; I was very calm and very tired. My concierge[9]opened the door at once, which was quite unusual for him, and I thought that another lodger had no doubt just come
- 24 "What is the matter with you? Are you in pain?""A little tired; but it is nothing.""What does your doctor say?""He calls it anaemia, and has ordered me to eat no white meat and to take tincture of iron."A suspicion
- 25 Rene gave her a brotherly kiss on the forehead and said: "Has not Lucien come yet?""Not yet," she replied, in a clear, soft voice; "you know he is almost always rather late."At that moment the bell rang, and a tall man was sh
- 26 "Now, my fair friend had often said in joke that every young man ought to have a room for himself somewhere or other from home. We lived in Paris, and this was a sort of inspiration. I took a room, and she came.She came one day in November; I should
- 27 The Baron really lost his head. Was it his wife, or somebody else who was as like her as any sister could be? As he had not seen her for six years he might be mistaken.She yawned, and he knew her by her gesture, and she turned and looked at him again, cal
- 28 They were getting to Ma.r.s.eilles, and the train whistled and slackened speed. The Baroness got up, carefully rolled up her wraps, and then turning to her husband, she said: "My dear Raymond, do not make a bad use of the _tete-a-tete_ which I had ca
- 29 "I am certainly not likely to live for more than five or six years longer. I am nearly seventy-three, and far from strong, even considering my age. The other evening I thought I was going to die, and could hardly manage to crawl into bed."But Ch
- 30 Sometimes again the worthy man would be seized with a furious hatred for everyone who was decorated; he felt like a Socialist towards them.Then, when he got home, excited at meeting so many Crosses--just like a poor hungry wretch is on pa.s.sing some dain
- 21 "Very well, my dear uncle," I would reply (in my heart I felt inclined to say, "You old idiot!"); "it is just that which I am blaming you for.Instead of destroying, you are organizing compet.i.tion; it is only a case of lowering t
- 22 "Listen a moment, it is so astonis.h.i.+ng--so astonis.h.i.+ng and providential!He also spoke to me about my father; it seems he knew him formerly.""Your father, uncle? But that is no reason for receiving a Jesuit.""I know that, b
- 31 "Yes, but it is a secret, a great secret."She had put the glorious garment into a cupboard, and came to her husband pale and trembling."Yes," she continued, "it is a new overcoat that I have had made for you. But I swore that I wo
- 32 "Children, I warn you all to eat not of that bread."WHAT WAS REALLY THE MATTER WITH ANDREW The lawyer's house looked on to the Square. Behind it, there was a nice, well-kept garden, with a back entrance into a narrow street which was almost
- 33 As soon as he was out of his mother's bed he cried less loudly, and when he was in his own he was quiet, with exception of a few broken sobs.The rest of the night was tranquil.The next night he came again. As he happened to speak rather loudly, Andre
- 34 "Above all things, don't make any noise on the stairs," to which she replied, laughing: "Are you afraid of being heard?""No," I said, "but I am afraid of waking the man who sleeps in the room next to me, who is not
- 35 Sometimes, in order to tire myself out, though I am fatigued enough already, I go for a walk in the forest of Roumare. I used to think at first that the fresh light and soft air, impregnated with the odor of herbs and leaves, would instill new blood into
- 36 So she saw on that card, on that piece of white paste-board, as if she had seen it in a looking-gla.s.s.The young women were frightened, and exclaimed: "That is quite enough!Quite, quite enough!"But the doctor said to her authoritatively: "
- 37 Then suddenly, I must, I must go to the bottom of my garden to pick some strawberries and eat them, and I go there. I pick the strawberries and I eat them! Oh! my G.o.d! my G.o.d! Is there a G.o.d? If there be one, deliver me! save me! succor me! Pardon!
- 38 Suddenly the whole roof fell in between the walls, and a volcano of flames darted up to the sky. Through all the windows which opened onto that furnace, I saw the flames darting, and I thought that he was there, in that kiln, dead.Dead? perhaps?... His bo
- 39 Round him were the princ.i.p.al witnesses, Madame Flameche, widow of the victim, and Louis Ladureau, cabinetmaker, and Jean Durdent, plumber.Near the criminal was his wife, dressed in black, a little ugly woman, who looked like a monkey dressed as a lady.
- 40 The little Baroness de Grangerie had thrown the book which she was reading on the sofa, and looked at Annette curiously. She was already laughing herself, and at last she asked: "What have you been doing now?" "Oh! ... my dear!... my dear!
- 41 "When the schoolmaster heard the whispering, he continued: 'Why, you are not by yourself?' 'Yes, I am, Monsieur Grabu!' 'But you are not, for you are talking.' 'I swear I am, Monsieur Grabu.' 'I will soon
- 42 "The Abbe and I rejoined my mother in the kitchen, and Melani again offered us chairs, 'I knew quite well that it would not go of its own accord; we must try some other means, otherwise he will escape us.' And they began deliberating afresh
- 43 what can I do?"The little Marchioness sat up in bed to reflect, and then she suddenly said: "Have him arrested!"The little Baroness looked stupefied, and stammered out: "What do you say? What are you thinking of? Have him arrested? Und
- 44 Mother Bontemps, who was at last most disturbed in mind, moved about, wrung her hands, and tried to turn her head to look at the bottom of the room, and suddenly la Rapet disappeared at the foot of the bed. She took a sheet out of the cupboard and wrapped
- 45 "I saw the priest, who had remained in the obscurity of the pa.s.sage, and who was laughing heartily, and I began to laugh in my turn, especially when I saw Marchas's face. Then motioning the nun to the seats I said: 'Sit down, Sister: we a
- 46 "I did not venture to speak to Monsieur Beaurain about this at first. I knew that he would make fun of me, and send me back to sell my needles and cotton! And then, to speak the truth, Monsieur Beaurain never said much to me, but when I looked in the
- 47 "You must remember that anything else is impossible. When a husband has been nice for six months, or a year, or two years, he necessarily becomes a brute, yes, a regular brute.... He does not put himself out for anything, but shows himself just as he
- 48 When he reached the end of the glacier he stopped and asked himself whether the old man had taken that road, and then he began to walk along the moraines with rapid and uneasy steps. The day was declining; the snow was a.s.suming a rosy tint, and a dry, f
- 49 "My little man, you are most confoundedly ugly, I must say."At last, however, he renounced even that lamentable pleasure, when he heard the still more lamentable words which a wretched woman could not help uttering when he went home with her: &q
- 50 The Works of Guy de Maupa.s.sant.Volume II.by Guy de Maupa.s.sant.MONSIEUR PARENT I Little George was making hills of sand in one of the walks; he took it up with both his hands, made it into a pyramid, and then put a chestnut leaf on the top, and his fat
- 51 II Parent lived alone, quite alone. During the five weeks that followed their separation, the feeling of surprise at his new life, prevented him from thinking much. He had resumed his bachelor life, his habits of lounging about, and he took his meals at a
- 52 "Well," he said, "tell him who I am, you! Tell him that my name is Henri Parent, that I am his father because his name is George Parent, because you are my wife, because you are all three living on my money, on the allowance of ten thousand
- 53 He did not sleep that night. The idea of the child especially harra.s.sed him. His son! Oh! If he could only have known, have been sure? But what could he have done? However, he went to the house where she had lived, and asked about her. He was told that
- 54 And they set off towards the village, whose red tiles could be seen through the leafless trees a quarter of a league off. Service was just going to begin when they went through the village. The square was full of people, who immediately formed two hedges
- 55 "So you bought me, and as soon as I was in your power, as soon as I had become your companion, ready to attach myself to you, to forget your coercive and threatening proceedings, in order that I might only remember that I ought to be a devoted wife a
- 56 Every ideal comes from us and all the amenities of life, in order to make our existence as simple reproducers, for which divine Providence solely intended us, less monotonous and less hard."Look at this theater. Is there not here a human world create
- 57 "At first we were stupefied, and felt as if some disaster had befallen us, and we looked at each other with the longing to accuse some one, but whom? Oh! Which of us? I have never felt as I did at that moment, the perfidy of that cruel joke of nature
- 58 But he could find no opening; had no pretext, and he waited for some fortunate circ.u.mstance, with his heart ravaged, and his mind topsy-turvy. The night pa.s.sed, and the pretty girl still slept, while Morin was meditating his own fall. The day broke an
- 59 Monsieur Cesaire Omont would like to find a respectable girl servant."He reflected for a few moments, and then added: "That is all, my brethren, and I wish that all of you may find the Divine mercy."And he came down from the pulpit, to fini
- 60 Madame Berthe d'Avancelles had up till that time resisted all the prayers of her despairing adorer, Baron Joseph de Croissard. He had pursued her ardently in Paris during the winter, and now he was giving fetes and shooting parties in her honor at hi
- 61 "Composed of whom? Of men of the world, I suppose?""And what does this Julot do?""Oh! really, d.u.c.h.ess, you force me to speak of persons and things, which ...""Yes, yes, I force you to; we understand that. But tell me
- 62 The idiot had watched her, and had thrown himself upon her in order to treat her as the other young fellows did the girls, but she resisted him so stoutly that he took her by the throat and squeezed with all his might until she could not breathe, and was
- 63 [Footnote 4: t.i.tle given to advocates in France.--TRANSLATOR.]He had just opened his correspondence, and his long hands, on which he bestowed the greatest attention, buried themselves in a heap of female letters, and one might have thought oneself in th
- 64 And, certainly, n.o.body would have believed that such a buxom woman, who looked as if her crupper were as warm as her looks, and who a.s.suredly must have liked to be well attended to, could be satisfied with such a puny husband; with such an ugly, weak,
- 65 "It gives you a good fire in which to warm yourselves, for nothing, and the smell of my stew into the bargain."As for his money, he spent in drink with the trollop, and afterwards, what was left of it, with the other eighteen."You see,"
- 66 Those insulting words were clearly written in her face, and at the same time I noticed that the old woman's eyes had utterly changed, for during that short moment of bravado the childish eyes had become the eyes of a monkey, of some ferocious, obstin
- 67 She was past forty, with thin hair over her pads, and with a false plait; her linen was doubtful in color, and she had evidently bought her unfas.h.i.+onable dress at a _reach-me-down shop_. He was thin, while she was chubby. He had been handsome, proud,
- 68 His modesty surprised me all the more, because of all those performers who are generally infatuated with their own skill, he was the most wonderfully clever one that I had ever met. Certainly, I had frequently seen him, and everybody had seen him in some
- 69 "What is your name?" "Pamela," she replied, raising her voice. And then he said: "Number one, called Pamela, is adjudged to the commandant."Then, having kissed Blondina, the second, as a sign of proprietors.h.i.+p, he proffer
- 70 When the bleeding had stopped, he proposed a walk, as he was afraid of his neighbor's heavy hand, if they remained side by side like that much longer; but she took his arm of her own accord, in the avenue, as if they had been out for an evening walk,
- 71 This time she looked her master straight in the face. "No, never, never; I will solemnly swear to you, that if he were to come to-day and ask me to marry him, I would have nothing to do with him." She spoke with such an air of sincerity that the
- 72 "He was extremely daring, and when he threw himself from one trapeze to the other, in a bold flight through the air, one might almost have fancied in the silvery electric light, that he was some fabulous bird with folded wings, and he executed all hi
- 73 "It is a paying business," and he sends his daughter to keep a harem of fast girls, just as he would send her to keep a girls' school.She had inherited the house from an old uncle, to whom it had belonged._Monsieur_ and _Madame_, who had fo
- 74 There was a torrent of exclamations, and they squeezed their petticoats between their legs, as if they thought he was going to ravish them, but he quietly waited his time, and said: "Well, if you will not, I shall pack them up again."And he adde
- 75 It was something for the family to be proud of, when a large number of relations, who had come from a distance, surrounded the child, and, consequently, the carpenter's triumph was complete.Madame Tellier's regiment, with its mistress at its hea
- 76 The fish-curer used every Sunday to have several cousins to dinner, and they were having coffee, when a man came in with a letter in his hand.Monsieur Tournevau was much excited, he opened the envelope and grew pale; it only contained these words in penci
- 77 His comrades got Parisel out of the house. He resisted for a week, but then sold everything he had, borrowed the money to pay Lucie's debts, and tried in vain to free himself from that weight, and to get her expelled from the town, but she always ret
- 78 Then, however, suddenly he ceased to be happy, and, in spite of all his efforts to hide his invincible lowness of spirits, he became another man, restless, being irritated at nothing, morose, and bored at everything and everywhere; whimsical, and never kn
- 79 "How happy I am, Elaine, and how I love you!" and I kissed her almost timidly, on the dimple. She trembled, as if from the pain of a burn, blushed deeply and with an affectionate look, she said: "I love you also, Jacques, and I am very happ
- 80 Sooner or later!I half opened the bedroom door gently. Elaine was in one of those heavy sleeps that follow intoxication. Who could tell whether, when she opened her eyes and called me, surprised at not finding herself in my arms, her whole being would not
- 81 However, Oh! I felt it too much for it to be nothing but a chimera and a mirage, it was no _virgin_ who threw her arms round my neck so lovingly, and who returned my first kisses so _deliciously_, who was attracted by my society, who gave no signs of surp
- 82 What did her letters that I had taken out of her writing table, which she had used as a girl, what did her ball cards which were stuck round her looking gla.s.s, in which she used to admire herself formerly, what did her dresses, her dressing gowns, and t
- 83 In spite of it all, I was in full possession of my reason, I was not in a pa.s.sion, and I could not have looked like a fool.What could she have seen unusual in my eyes that frightened her, what inflections were there in my voice for such an idea suddenly
- 84 "If I were really capable of loving for five minutes consecutively, I should love you."And when they were walking in the _Bois de Boulogne_, while the Victoria was waiting near Armenonville, during their afternoon talks when, as he used to say,
- 85 The Works of Guy de Maupa.s.sant.Volume III.by Guy de Maupa.s.sant.THE VIATIc.u.m "After all," Count d'Avorsy said, stirring his tea with the slow movements of a prelate, "what truth was there in anything that was said at Court, almost
- 86 "It would be a very poor joke, Monsieur le Comte, and one which I should certainly not allow myself towards you!"The situation was absolutely critical and ridiculous, the more so, that in the dining-room the women who were slightly _elevated_, w
- 87 When it was over, the Jesuit took the book of the Gospels and the holy water sprinkler, and went slowly out of the chapel, while the old man followed him, with the holy water basin in one hand and a taper in the other. Then the police director left his hi
- 88 "Are you in earnest?""Fully."The man from the _Ghetto_ took her hand, and pressed it ardently to his lips."When may I come?""To-morrow evening at eight o'clock.""And I may bring the sable cloak and the whi
- 89 She was received with some suspicion at first, but she soon overcame all prejudices and doubts; the applause grew more and more vehement at every act, and at the close of the performance, her future was decided. She obtained a splendid engagement, and soo
- 90 "Certainly! She is a Viennese lady," Countess H---- whispered; "Countess W----.""Oh! Indeed you are quite mistaken; it is a Count Savelli and his wife.They are a handsome couple, don't you think so?"When the boat came ne
- 91 And there was a strange look in her eyes."Yes.""How did you come here?""I am one of the many emigrants who have forfeited their country and their life; and I, who come of a good family, and who was an officer of the Honveds, must
- 92 An Austrian count, who had a loud and silly laugh, said: "Who has saddled you with that yarn? The lady is Lady Nitingsdale, and his name is Romanesco.""Romanesco?""Yes, he is a rich Boyar from Moldavia, where he has extensive esta
- 93 "What do you mean?" she said innocently."Do you not belong to another man?" he asked her in a sad voice.She shook her abundant, light curls."Up till now, I have belonged to myself alone, and I will prove it to you, by requesting y
- 94 "I did not intend to hurt your feelings," he continued: "but I must confess that it would have been better for both of us, if we had not met again. But what do you mean by making me wear your livery? It is not enough that I have been robbed
- 95 Count T---- was not a man whom she could just coolly dismiss, or with whom she might venture to trifle, and that she knew perfectly well; so in order to avoid a catastrophe, the consequences of which might be incalculable for her, she did not let him noti
- 96 When they heard this, the girl's parents certainly hesitated for a time, to give their consent to the marriage, but the handsome hussar, whose ardent pa.s.sion carried f.a.n.n.y away, at last gained the victory. The doctor received a pretty little no
- 97 "When the weather was fine, she laughed continually, and emitted some low cries which might be compared to the twittering of birds; when it rained she cried and moaned in a mournful, terrifying manner, which sounded like the howling of a dog when a d
- 98 "There he is," he said.I saw nothing except a gray felt hat, c.o.c.ked over one ear, above a pair of broad shoulders, driving off in a cloud of dust.ABANDONED "I really think you must be mad, my dear, to go for a country walk in such weathe
- 99 They turned to the left; she was walking very slowly now; her legs threatened to give way, and her heart was beating so violently that she felt as if she should be suffocated, while at every step she murmured, as if in prayer: "Oh! good heavens! good
- 100 Mother Benedict did not reply, as she thought it a very equivocal soft of answer, but suddenly she exclaimed: "Oh! here is my husband!"She was the only one who had seen him, as she was facing the gate.D'Apreval started, and Madame de Cadour